Expanding Network of Submersible Technology
Advancing the Internet of Underwater Things: A Steps Forward with Sunrise and SEANet
The world of underwater exploration is set for a significant leap with the development of the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT), a network designed to enhance data collection and communication in marine environments. The Sunrise project, a collaboration between American and European marine researchers, has been instrumental in driving this innovation [1].
The Sunrise project, with its focus on underwater sensing systems, has achieved a milestone by qualifying Seanapsys, a unique and innovative underwater sensing system developed in collaboration with WSense [2]. This qualification marks a significant step towards deploying reliable IoUT infrastructure, enabling real-time underwater data acquisition and transmission.
The IoUT includes underwater robots, or drone submarines, each carrying a unique set of sensors for specific missions. These autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are capable of exchanging information using sound signals, making them ideal for applications such as marine environmental monitoring, resource management, and security [1]. Each drone can be controlled remotely and uniformly through the Sunrise Gate, forming a "federation" of devices in a network [1].
The Nu Monet project, led by Stefano Basagni, an Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, serves as a testbed for the IoUT. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Nu Monet project was set up on the North East coast of the United States [1]. Janus Esperanto 3.0, a language developed by the Sunrise project, allows different devices in the IoUT to communicate with each other, simplifying the exchange of data and information [1].
A new NSF-funded project, SEANet, has been initiated at Northeastern University. The primary objective of SEANet is to build underwater acoustic modems to address the challenges of slow data rates typical of current technology [3]. The control center in SEANet provides directional instructions to the drones and monitors them in real time [3].
The IoUT is initially expected to be of interest to a specific segment of the consumer market, including Defense Departments, coastal protection, harbor surveillance, and the fishing industry for applications related to fisheries and aquaculture [1]. The hostile underwater environment poses significant technical challenges for the widespread diffusion and deployment of IoUT technologies, particularly in the wireless domain [1].
In conclusion, the Sunrise and SEANet projects are paving the way for a more connected and data-driven underwater world. The qualification of Seanapsys and the development of Janus Esperanto 3.0 are important steps towards deploying reliable IoUT infrastructure, enabling real-time underwater data acquisition and transmission. As these projects continue to evolve, we can expect to see more efficient and effective underwater data collection and communication systems in the future.
[1] The Sunrise project and the Internet of Underwater Things: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325184343_The_Sunrise_project_and_the_Internet_of_Underwater_Things [2] Qualification of Seanapsys: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325184343_The_Sunrise_project_and_the_Internet_of_Underwater_Things [3] SEANet project: https://www.seanet.northeastern.edu/
The Sunrise project's qualification of the innovative underwater sensing system, Seanapsys, signifies a crucial advancement in science and technology, taking a step further towards deploying IoUT infrastructure for real-time underwater data acquisition and transmission. The SEANet project, focusing on building underwater acoustic modems, aims to tackle slow data rates typical of current technology, further fueling advancements in science and technology for underwater communications.
